Our Staff

Program Director

Hi! My name is Mrs. Lexie Cathcart.  I have spent the last 20 years teaching kids in many different settings: gymnastics, dance, preschool, and daycare. I have a passion for working with kids and love to watch them grow help them learn! I started Learning Tree with a mission to give children a place to learn and grow in a creative space that allows them to move and be kids! My husband, John, and I have 3 kids. Zoe 17, Dakota 14, and Katana who is 6 years old. We also have dog named Dexter and a cat named Artemis.

I attended Central Michigan University on a full ride gymnastics scholarship. While there, I took many early elementary education classes, but decided to settle on the path of  an art degree with a major in Photography and a minor in Art History. As the years passed and school was a distant memory I found my way back to education! I am passionate about and love working with kids! 

 

  • Food: Tacos
  • Beverage: Coffee
  • Desert: Anything with lots of chocolate
  • Color: Green
  • Sports: Gymnastics and Hockey
  • Animal: Zebra
  • Quote: Kindness changes everything!
  • Hobbies: Photography, bike riding, gardening, being outside, and reading.

 

 


Kindergarten-2nd Grade Teacher

My name is Amber Lewis. I have lived here in the Black Hills for 9 years now. My husband and I love enjoying all the hills have to offer. We have a beautiful baby girl named Pamela (PJ) who keeps us on our toes! We also have two loving boxers who love to run and play in the outdoors. I love the atmosphere that we have here at Learning Tree! The ability to move about the classroom and use the gym space for our learning is so wonderful. I have a passion for working with kids and enjoy seeing their bright smiles everyday when they come to school. I am looking forward to a great year at Learning Tree! 

I attended Black Hills State University. While attending BHSU I studied Early Elementary and Early Childhood Education. In 2018 I graduated from BHSU and started teaching at Learning Tree! I just
love working with kids and sharing my love of learning with them!

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  • Food: Chicken
  • Beverage: Coffee
  • Book: Wonder
  • Color: Purple
  • Sports: Gymnastics 
  • Animal: Dogs and Turtles
  • Quote: Why fit in when you were born to stand out!
  • Hobbies: Crocheting, playing cards and games with my family

 

 


Preschool/Pre-K

My name is Katelyn Smith, I teach Preschool and Pre-K here at Learning Tree. I moved to the Spearfish area two years ago from Lima, Ohio with my parents & younger brother, after excitedly visiting multiple times in the Black Hills to be with local family. We are so happy to now be a permanent part of the Spearfish community! I have spent the last 10 years teaching children in various educational programs. I have a passion for building connection & confidence in children while helping them learn & grow, and I am so excited to get to know you & your child this school year!

 

 

 

I attended Bowling Green State University, where I explored degrees in art, culture studies, language arts studies, before ultimately deciding to put my focus & major in Early Childhood Education after loving multiple field experiences in preschool & elementary settings. I am passionate about continuously improving my skills professionally & personally, and so continue to attend webinars & trainings that I believe will continue to hone my skills as an educator & well-rounded person.

  • Food: Dark Chocolate Almonds
  • Beverage: Green Tea
  • Book: The Radiant Road by Katherine Catmull
  • Color: Green
  • Sports: Yoga & Hiking 
  • Animal: Fox
  • Quote: How do we change the world? One act of random kindness at a time.
  • Hobbies: Reading, writing, drawing, learning & spending time with loved one

 

 


Preschool

My name is Angie Smith. I will be teaching Preschool here at Learning Tree. I have been working in the early education field on and off over the last 28 years, including day care, Head Start, and Preschool. My husband, Gary, and I have been married for almost 30 years and we have two children, Katelyn, 28 and Jarrett, 23, and our very spoiled puppy, Maisy. Yvonne and Nick who are grown children from my husband previous marriage, have blessed us with 4 wonderful grandchildren: Tyler age 19, Jacob age 13, Abbigail age 18, and Addilyn age 8. I love working with children and helping them learn and grow by exploring the world around them. I feel very fortunate to be able to do something that brings me such joy!

I have an associates degree in business management from Community College of Southern Nevada. It was during this time that I discovered my love of early education and took many college courses in this field. Upon deciding to enter the early
education field, I completed my Child Development Associate credential in preschool, as well as a Family Service Worker Certificate from Rhodes State College. I’ve also received a certificate of achievement from South Dakota Pathways to Professional Development Career Lattice Registry, and just recently attended the South Dakota Early Childhood Education Conference that was held in Rapid City. I love to learn and am continually look for opportunities

to do so through early education seminars, conferences, and classes.

  • Food: Pizza
  • Beverage: Fruit Smoothie
  • Desert: I love chocolate!
  • Color: Orange
  • Sports: Not much into watching sports but I love watching the kids here do gymnastics
  • Animal: Koala Bear
  • Quote: Faith plants the seed. Love makes it grow!
  • Hobbies: Reading, Nature walks, Sudoku puzzles, spending time with family